Doctors & Tackling The Awkward Chat
Going to see the Doctor can be painfully awkward, especially if you don't know who you are going to be seen and treated by!
Talking about issues to do with your body to a unfamiliar person is enough for someone to just say under the covers and send another person (who you trust) to go and get you some over the counter medicine from the Chemist down the road along with a Barley Sugar Twist for being a good patient!
But sometimes you know you have to bite the bullet and just pick up that phone (yes our arch-nemesis!) and make a routine or emergency appointment!
Doctor's surgeries aren't the best place to be, they are full of gems and usually people coughing and spreading germs left and right. So before you even get in the room with your doctor you're already stressed to the max. I usually have a fail safe way of combatting that and it is in a earlier post, the link to is below:
The Doctors:
Once you've got through the annoying wait and sat in a really uncomfortable chair, it's time to talk about stuff that you may not want to talk about as it is embarrassing or has to do with your sexual health.
With the docs in general I try and see someone familiar because they already know my medical history and I don't feel uncomfortable especially talking about female problems as I have had male doctors who are quickly referring me to the Gynaecologist over a bad reaction to a type of contraceptive pill.
Yeah and I did go like Rachel- you haven't got my reproductive parts what do you know? I want to see a female Doctor Please! And I did after nearly having a panic attack as no girl should be told they have to go to that part of the hospital unless they absolutely need to or are pregnant- which of course I wasn't at the time!
When you sit down with the doctor you have the general chat about how you are and blood pressure and temperature will be taken generally and then it's time to discuss what is actually wrong with you.
And that can be complicated!
Knowing your body is key and registering if anything is not right or a little bit. So it might be a raised temperature, pain or swelling and of course if you're vomiting for no apparent reason.
Your body just like you, you are different to everyone else, so subtle or extreme changes need to be addressed as soon as possible and that can require the an examination of your body and a lot of painful prodding and poking and even a blood or Urine test!
When talking to your doctor you need to tell them everything and the confidence to do that or even to describe the pain or discomfort that you are feeling can be awkward, embarrassing and not a pleasant experience!
If you're having trouble to communicate what it is wrong with your body the first thing to do is:
Write all changes or symptoms down:
It sounds a little strange but it can be the difference between sitting in a doctors office clamming up or getting treated and the doctor understanding what is happening. If you get a strange raise in temperature (I recommend having a digital thermometer at home- you can get them from the Chemist), abnormal pains, changes in your toilet habits, strange rashes on the skin, being sick, changes in mood, changes in sleep pattern, feeling tired or sluggish and even changes in your monthly cycle.
Also note down the type of pain as they feel:
- Stabbing
- Shooting
- Throbbing
- Mild
- Uncomfortable
Keep a clear record with the time and date as well as what is actually happening and any medication that you might have taken and take it into the doctors with you. Then the doctor can see what is happening without you having to describe everything to them.
Simple and really good little thing to do as it can save time and help find a diagnosis quicker than stumbling to describe the problem. Doctors will ask can they examine you as well if you have problems with your stomach.
Don't worry i've constantly been prodded and poked over the last year due to Gallstones which then turned into a infected Gallbladder because it was left to fester for too long!
When it comes to being examined it can be well awkward isn't the word... somewhat strange and alarmingly wrong for another human being who up to this moment is a total stranger to start pressing really uncomfortably on the problem area of the body.
It's not the best situation for an autistic person to be in as it is your body and knowing that someone is actively pressing on your skin can make your skin crawl and well make anxiety worse. I usually try to relax and focus on something else while as this is going on. It only take a few minutes but it's not the best thing in the world especially if you've watched episodes of Embarrassing Bodies on TV.
What if I haven't gone to the doctors about a physical Health Complaint?
Changing Medication can be tricky business and should not be done without the guidance of a Doctor. As with drawl symptoms are a major problem as well as changes in mood.
If you are unhappy with any side effects of the Medication you are on and want to change to a different type of medicine for any mental health or physical health issue you need to talk to a doctor about different options and the risks involved.
It does require quiet a long or several appointments to sort this out but should be sorted. You might have to bring yourself slowly off the medication you are already on and then change to another. I do know what it is like to change medications and what the process feels like and it isn't that pretty. Also it might mean a referral back to your local mental health unit if it's to do with anti-depressants or other anxiety medication.
Repeat Prescriptions:
You can get all your medication on a repeat prescription from the Doctors so that you don't have to go back to the doctor for the same medicine over and over again when you run out. With some medication you will need to go back to have a review with your doctor (these are usually controlled medications) and also because you might not need the medication anymore or might want to change it. All you need to do when you pick up your prescription from the chemist is tick the boxes on the repeat and the chemist will order you the same amount of medication for the next month for you to pick up.
Remember in the UK, unless you are on certain benefits, Aged 16,17,18 and 19 years old and are in Higher Education, or are a pensioner you will have to pay for your prescriptions. You can get a pre-paid prescription card online for 3 months or 12 months.
For more info:
Getting referrals to Hospital:
Getting a referral might be complex and long winded as Doctors would rather treat the problem at the surgery rather than you going to Hospital. It means that you have to be firm and sometimes demand politely to go to see a specialist at your local Hospital.
It also means when you get the referral that you might have to chase it up. It again means using the phone and ringing numerous people at the Doctor's Surgery and even the Hospital. It is a hassle and a nightmare but you have to do it!!!
*Tip*
Ring the booking office in the hospital as they can arrange an appointment for you over the phone without you ringing around different departments in the hospital and also talking to consultant's secretaries.
It doesn't matter which department of the hospital you are being treated by, if you talk to the lovely staff and explain that you need an appointment as soon as possible and you haven't received a letter about said appointment, you can book one over the phone for the earliest date they have. Private consultations are different but you can still get a referral from your GP.
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